Mary Ann, ABC president trade barbs over alleged bribe attempt

THEIR campaign bids have yet to be filed and already Team Rama accused the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) camp of dirty election tactics.

Marieta delos Santos, a 42-year-old housewife, was yesterday presented in a press conference of Team Rama with allegations of foul play.

She said barangay T. Padilla captain Michael Rallota, through an intermediary, offered her P200,000 to run for Cebu City Council’s north district as a spoiler for the campaign bid of Mary Ann delos Santos of Team Rama, who’s running for the same slot.

Rallota is president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and running for a council seat in the north district as well.

In a separate interview, Rallota laughed off the allegation, and admitted only that he invited Marieta to be one of his barangay leaders.

Marieta recounted that she was invited to a meeting with a person whom Team Rama allies identified as Jun Cugay at Harold’s Hotel in Cebu CIty last Oct. 2.

In a third-floor room, she said, Cugay asked her a whether she was related to barangay Lahug councilor Maryann delos Santos, to which she answered no.

Cugay then asked Marietta to file a certificate of candidacy for Cebu City Council’s north district in exchange for P200,000.

“I told him that I won’t accept that money,” Marieta told reporters.

Cugay served as secretary to the mayor during the term of former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district.

Marieta and her one-year-old grandson were served lunch while they waited for the meeting of Team Rama members to end yesterday.

She was then presented to Mary Ann who lauded her for refusing the money.

“I am forewarning Rallota for the blatant display (of bribery). I forewarn all Delos Santoses who would allow themselves to be used (by Rallota and the BO-PK),” Mary Ann said.

The ABC president laughed at the accusations against him.

“But it’s good so I can become popular because I haven’t appeared yet in the local media,” Rallota said.

He said Marieta’s accusation doesn’t bother him because he knows he’s innocent.

Rallota admitted that he met Marieta at her house last Wednesday and invited her to accompany him at the nearby barangay hall where he asked her to be one of his barangay leaders.

Rallota said Marieta is an active member of their barangay womens association.

“I wonder why she came out with that story,” he said. He said he would welcome any legal action against him.

A check with the Comelec Cebu City office showed that there are of 189 people in Cebu City’s north district with the surname delos Santos.

“I don’t know if I am a threat to them…This is a very desperate attempt,” Mary Ann told reporters. Correspondent Edison A. delos Angeles